Public Works Director/City Engineer – City of Malibu

The City

The City of Malibu is an iconic, world-class coastal community in Southern California, spanning 21 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline. Renowned for its natural beauty and relaxed coastal character, Malibu offers a unique blend of rural tranquility and proximity to the dynamic resources of the greater Los Angeles region.

With its Mediterranean climate, pristine beaches, and expansive scenic open spaces, Malibu provides an exceptional quality of life. The City is home to Surfrider Beach, recognized as the world’s first World Surfing Reserve and Zuma Beach, a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. Bordered by the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Malibu offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, from scenic hiking and cycling to oceanfront activities. Its commitment to environmental stewardship, thoughtful development, and community character makes Malibu not only a remarkable place to visit but an extraordinary place to live, work, and serve.

Incorporated on March 28, 1991, the City of Malibu is a general law city with a council-manager form of government. The five-member City Council is elected at large to serve four-year terms. The Mayor’s office is rotated annually among all City Council members. The City Council appoints the City Manager, City Attorney, and City Treasurer/Auditor. 

The City has a total FY 2025-26 budget of $110 million and employs a staff of nearly 128 full-time equivalent positions providing Administration, Community Development, Community Services, Public Safety, and Public Works. The City contracts for fire, law enforcement, utilities, plan checking, traffic engineering, and street maintenance services. Malibu’s outstanding financial management and strong regional partnerships enable the City to maintain a robust Capital Improvement Program, funding large community projects, infrastructure resilience and traffic safety. For additional information on Malibu, visit https://www.malibucity.org. 

The Opportunity

Malibu has experienced a series of natural disasters and fires in recent years. Through committed leadership and regional coordination, the City is making significant investments in its infrastructure, advancing road repairs, utilities, public facilities, coastal infrastructure, sewer system expansion, power grid improvements, and open space management through its Capital Improvement Program to build a more resilient community. 

Newly appointed, City Manager Irvin invites eligible candidates who are interested in leading transformative projects and initiatives towards building a resilient Malibu. Eligible candidates are expected to be solution oriented and a team player. The City is also advancing efforts to improve safety along the Pacific Coast Highway, a state highway that serves as Malibu’s “Main Street” as well as to add world class amenities to its parks and community lands. 

The Public Works Director plays the lead role in advancing these initiatives through the City’s Public Works Department and Capital Improvement Program, and coordination with city departments and regional, state and federal agencies.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a strategic, results-driven executive leader with a strong foundation in municipal public works operations, engineering principles, and public administration. This individual brings a balance of technical expertise, organizational leadership, and political acumen to effectively guide the Public Works Department in delivering high-quality infrastructure and services aligned with the City’s mission and policy direction. 

CORE COMPETENCIES

Leadership and Management Style

• Demonstrates visionary and collaborative leadership, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams, including mentoring, coaching, and succession planning
• Exercises sound judgment and independent decision-making in complex, high-impact situations
• Promotes a customer-service-oriented environment focused on responsiveness and community satisfaction

Technical and Professional Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of public works operations, including engineering, capital improvement programs, infrastructure maintenance, transportation, and environmental compliance
• Strong background in municipal engineering practices, including plan review, design standards, and construction management
• Experience serving in the role of City Engineer, including signing and approving plans and specifications
• Understanding of local, state, and federal regulations, funding mechanisms, and grant administration

Strategic and Operational Capabilities

• Skilled in short- and long-term planning, aligning departmental goals with City priorities and community needs
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets, including operating and capital improvement programs (CIP)
• Adept at organizational assessment, identifying efficiencies, and implementing process improvements
• Strong project management skills with a track record of successfully delivering large-scale infrastructure projects on time and within budget

Communication and Interpersonal Effectiveness

• Effective communicator with the ability to present complex technical information clearly to City Council, executive leadership, staff, and the public
• Builds and maintains effective working relationships with internal departments, external agencies, contractors, and community stakeholders
• Demonstrates political awareness and diplomacy in navigating sensitive issues and competing priorities
• Experienced in handling public inquiries, complaints, and high-profile concerns with professionalism and sound judgment

Governance and Policy Acumen

• Deep understanding of municipal government operations, including the distinct roles of the departmental/management leadership, City Manager, and City Council
• Experience in developing and implementing policies, procedures, and operational standards
• Ability to analyze legislation, regulatory changes, and emerging trends, translating them into actionable strategies

Contract and Resource Management

• Demonstrated experience in procurement, contract negotiation, and administration for professional services and public works projects
• Ability to optimize resource allocation, including staffing, equipment, and funding
• Strong oversight of vendor performance and compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements

QUALIFICATIONS Qualified candidates at a minimum will have eight years of increasingly responsible civil engineering or public works construction management experience, including four years of administrative and management experience. A bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field and a valid California registration as a Professional Engineer. A professional Traffic Engineer is highly desirable. Must possess a valid California Driver’s License and a satisfactory driving record. 

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. The salary range is $214,037 – $279,270. The City also offers an attractive benefit package, which includes:

• Retirement: 2% at 55 formula for Classic CalPERS members (City pays employee contribution). New member formula is 2% at 62 (employee contribution is the rate prescribed by CalPERS in accordance with Government Code 7522.30 – currently 8.25%). The City does not contribute to Social Security
• Deferred Compensation: The City contributes $250 per month to a qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
• Vacation: Starting at 120 hours per year, increasing to 160 hours beginning the 11th year of service. A portion of vacation leave can be cashed out at the applicable accrual year for qualifying employees
• Sick Leave: 96 hours accrued per year. A portion of sick leave accrued but not used can be cashed out for qualifying employees. A portion of sick leave can be cashed out at the applicable accrual year for qualifying employees
• Vacation and sick leave cash out provision
• Holidays: 9 paid holidays plus paid Winter Break (December 24 – January 1)
• Administrative Leave: 54 hours of administrative leave each fiscal year
• Health Insurance: CalPERS offers a selection of health plans. City provides 100% paid premiums-coverage for employees and eligible dependents up to the PERS Platinum PPO health plan level
• Dental and Vision: 100% premium coverage for employees and eligible dependents
• Life Insurance: Coverage equal to employee’s annual salary, up to a maximum of $175,000
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $2,500 maximum reimbursement each fiscal year
• Long Term/Short Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• The City offers a 9/80 work schedule
• Employees have the option to sign up with the Ventura County Credit Union

Hiring Process

To be considered for this outstanding opportunity, apply online at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/malibucity. Employment application, supplemental questionnaire, and resume must be received by the final filing deadline of May 31, 2026. Following a review of the application materials, only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination process. Final appointment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background investigation, and all required pre-employment requirements.

SAVE THE DATE

In-person interviews will take place on June 17, 2026 

Selected candidates must attend the interview in-person (no exceptions)

Under federal law, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States. This requires presenting, at the time of appointment, an original or certified copy of a Social Security card and California Driver License, or other suitable documentation. Final appointment is contingent upon verification of documentation. 

Reasonable Accommodation: In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance in the selection process, please notify the Human Resources Division, in writing, by the final filing date on this announcement.